INDIANA, Pa. – Pitchers Lauren Zola (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton-La Salle) and Brooke Darling (Springville, Pa./Elk Lake) allowed a combined two runs as the Crimson Hawks shut down visiting Mansfield in a doubleheader sweep Saturday on Senior Day.

IUP won the first game, 7-1, and came back in the second game to win, 2-1.

In game one, Zola pitched seven innings while allowing four hits and one earned run while striking out a pair of Mansfield batters. In game two, Darling went the distance for IUP, going the full seven innings while giving up four hits, one unearned run and striking out nine.  

The wins move IUP's record to 27-17 overall and 7-13 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. The Crimson Hawks open the PSAC Championships Wednesday against the PSAC West's top seed in Quakertown, with subsequent playoff games set for the following days with the championship game set for Saturday.

In the first game, IUP scored four runs in the sixth inning to break open a 3-1 game wide open and get the 7-1 win. The second game featured all the scoring in the first two innings, with IUP driving in a pair of runs in the second, which would eventually be the difference in the game.

On the day, redshirt junior outfielder Megan Gould (New Germany, Pa./Forest Hills) went 2-for-6 with two runs scored.

Between the games, IUP honored its five seniors: Darling, second baseman Rachel Francis (Jefferson, Ohio/Jefferson), first baseman Allison Viguers (West Chester, Pa./West Chester East), outfielder Amy Fairman (Creekside, Pa. /Marion Center), and infielder Emily Hofmann (Dublin, Pa./Pennridge).

For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP softball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_Softball.